West Ham vs Manchester United LIVE commentary: Hammers can move above struggling Red Devils with win – kick-off time, team news and how to follow
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West Ham host Manchester United this weekend in hope of leapfrogging their opponents in the Premier League table.
The Hammers can move above Erik ten Hag’s side with three points, potentially jumping into the top six of the league before Christmas.
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Man United could drop further down the table if they fail to winCredit: Getty
David Moyes faces his former club who come into this game off the back of a hard-fought 0-0 draw with Liverpool last Sunday.
United are slipping further away from the Champions League places as their torrid campaign continues and they are in desperate need of a win here.
West Ham vs Manchester United: Nightmare before Christmas
If Man United are to lose to West Ham this weekend, it would spell their worst start to a season in almost a century.
Ten Hag’s men have lost 12 games in all competitions this campaign.
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The last time they were beaten more than that before Christmas was in 1930.
And at the end of that campaign, United were relegated from the top-flight, finishing bottom of the table.
This season, they have tasted four defeats in Europe which resulted in them finishing bottom of their Champions League group.
Those losses combined with one in the Carabao Cup and seven in the Premier League prove how much of a torrid time the club is going through.
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United’s awful season so far could reach new heights this weekendCredit: Getty
West Ham vs Manchester United: Team news
Alphonse Areola and Lukasz Fabianski continue to battle for the No 1 spot with the latter starting the last Premier League game.
Areola is recovering from a wrist injury though and he may claim back a starting spot once he has fully recovered.
West Ham only have Michail Antonio out of action with Moyes able to choose from the majority of his squad.
As for Man United, Bruno Fernandes will be back after serving a suspension last weekend.
However, Diogo Dalot was sent off against Liverpool for two yellow cards in a matter of seconds and he will be absent.
Marcus Rashford has started the last three games off the bench as he recovered from illness but he may be fit to play from the off this time around.
Harry Maguire, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia are all sidelined.
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West Ham are in good form ahead of welcoming Man UnitedCredit: Getty
West Ham vs Manchester United: What has been said?
Man United’s forward line continue to struggle this season and talkSPORT’s Gabby Agbonlahor has highlighted their goalscoring issues.
Comparing the Red Devils’ attackers’ stats to Arsenal’s Kai Havertz, Agbonlahor told talkSPORT Drive: “Here’s a crazy stat for you.
“Antony, Hojlund, Martial, Rashford, Garnacho, Sancho – four Premier League goals between them.
“And Havertz, who hasn’t had a great season, four. What does that say about those guys though? It’s not good enough, they’re going through each game, ‘Haven’t scored, no problem, haven’t scored, no problem’.
“You’re playing for Manchester United, you’re earning crazy money, big transfer fees, they need to be getting more stick, these players, because it’s not good enough.
“That’s why Manchester United are where they are, you can’t blame it on the defence anymore, the defence is getting a bit better.”
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Rashford has had a campaign to forget so far
West Ham vs Manchester United: talkSPORT coverage
This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday, December 23.
Kick-off at the London Stadium is scheduled for 12:30pm.
talkSPORT will have EXCLUSIVE live coverage of the game presented by Reshmin Chowdhury.
Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former England defender Stuart Pearce.